LAB Records

LAB Records (pronounced lab) is an independent record label operating from Manchester, England, and founded by Mark Orr and Nathen McVittie in 2007.[1] The company also has a creative and distribution division, LAB Exposure, as well as a New York-based management company, LAB Partners.[2]

LAB Records
Founded2007
FounderMark Orr
Distributor(s)ADA
Genre
Country of originUnited Kingdom
LocationManchester
Official websitelabrecs.com

It releases music in the pop and rock genres, with bands primarily from the United States and UK.

History

2005-08: Founding

Mark Orr originally conceptualized the label in 2005, and began working in the music industry as a music promoter under the title ‘Life’s A Beach’ in his hometown of Blackpool. LAB Promotions put on a number of shows in the Blackpool area during 2006–08 – featuring the likes of Kill The Arcade, Out Of Sight, Tellison, Encyclopedia, My First Tooth – and many bands who later became the first artists on the LAB Records roster: MiMi Soya, The Honeymoon Suite and Lost On Campus.[3][4]

Having moved to University in Manchester, Orr teamed up with McVittie to release their first record in July 2007, a six-track CD by Stamford singer-songwriter Rob Lynch, aka Lost On Campus. Soon, the label became number one priority and made their first major breakthrough with the signing of Brighton’s MiMi Soya in March 2008.[3] The female-fronted band released their debut EP The Four Penny Knee Trembler in June 2008 and it has sold more than 5,000 units to date.

2009-11: Expansion

In May 2009, the label went full-time in a new office, and launched their sister clothing line, LAB Apparel.[5]

In the meantime, the label signed a second artist coming out of Brighton, UK – four-piece pop-rock band The Auteur. The band released a single and an EP through the label before playing a number of high-profile festivals in Summer 2009 – Download Festival, T In The Park Festival and Underage Festival.

British indie pop band Young Kato (seen performing in 2011) are signed to the label

In July 2009 the label released their highest-selling store release to date, It Hates You by North Carolina rock band He Is Legend. The record was co-released with American label Tragic Hero Records.[5] Also in August, The Morning Of signed a 50–50 worldwide deal with LAB/Tragic Hero.[6]

In November 2009, Pegasus Bridge's "Yoko" single secured the label's first prime time Radio 1 airtime when Huw Stephens premiered the track.[7] The band went on to enjoy airplay from the likes of Zane Lowe and Vernon Kaye, as well as playing Radio 1's Big Weekend in Bangor, Wales in May 2010. Episode 3 of the label's LABtv series relates to One Big Weekend.[8]

At the end of 2009 the label secured its first investment, though it remains entirely independent. The label also doubled its 2008 sales in 2009.[9]

2010-13

As of May 2010, the video for Not Advised's single "The World's Not Ready" gave the label its first national television exposure after it premiered on Kerrang! TV.[10] It went on to be featured on Scuzz, Lava and Starz Television and is available to request on all of these channels. Also in, May 2010, the label released its first record in US stores, The Morning Of's The Way I Fell In. The album debuted at number 10 in the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, selling 2100 copies first week.[11] In June 2010, the label signed New York pop/rock band Just Surrender in the UK/EU.

In August 2010, Mark Orr conducted an interview with Punktastic.com in which he discussed the history of the label and their intention to move towards a more mainstream sound in 2011. "Our sound will go a little more poppy but I'm keen we retain our rock side too. I'm so keen that we can't be pigeon-holed and so we will have an eclectic roster."[12]

Nathen McVittie announced via Twitter that he had left the company in September 2010.[13] In October 2010, the label had signed Arizona pop-rock band The Summer Set, and would release Love Like This in the UK and Europe in early 2011.[14][15]

While We're Young, the debut mini-album release from Pegasus Bridge, received iTunes front page placement following its November 2010 release and entered the iTunes chart, peaking at number 81.[16] The band toured with Anberlin in November.

In December 2010, Not Advised toured Ireland and some of the UK with You Me At Six and released "The ARK," the third single from their mini-album After The Fight. It went on to feature prominently on the Scuzz playlist.[17]

Pop punk band Cartel is signed to the label

On 29 January 2011, Charlee Drew performed in the BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge with Skepta ahead of the release of the latter's new album Doin' It Again which features Drew on the track "Taking Too Long" and entered the official UK album chart at number 19.[18]

On 24 June 2011, Pegasus Bridge announced they would be going on an indefinite hiatus.[19] The news lead to them trending fourth worldwide on Twitter.[20] The band played their final show in September 2011 at Sound Control, Manchester.[21]

The label released a deluxe version of the Cartel EP In Stereo in the UK & Europe on 20 May 2012. It featured the five original songs as well as acoustic versions and one unreleased track, "No Motivation."[22] Cartel also collaborated with LAB on their 2013 full-length, Collider.[23]

On 4 January 2013 it was announced the label had signed London rock band Anavae to a worldwide deal, and would release their single "Storm Chaser".[24] The single reached number 33 on the UK rock singles chart.[25]

In March 2013 the label announced the signing of Illinois indie band The Hush Sound,[26] the first LAB artist[27] to be played on BBC Radio 2.[28]

In April 2013 Young Kato performed on the first episode of season 5 of Made In Chelsea resulting in their LAB-released self-titled EP reaching number 31 on the iTunes album chart.[29]

2014-16

Two LAB affiliated artists, Young Kato (BMG Chrysalis),[30] and Katie Sky (Universal Music Group) both signed to larger labels during 2013.[31] At the start of 2014, the label added new artists to its roster: William Beckett, The LaFontaines, Fort Hope (previously My Passion), and Jacob & Goliath,[23] and announced it had signed Katie Sky to its LAB Partners management firm.[2] They have also worked with the critically acclaimed act Bipolar Sunshine, formerly known as frontman Adio Merchant of the indie band Kid British.[32]

Later in the year the label announced the signing of singer-songwriter Mike Dignam, who had joined 5 Seconds Of Summer on their tours of the UK and Australia, and Barbados quartet Cover Drive, known for having five top 40 UK hits.

In April 2015, Fort Hope's single 'Plans' was made Track Of The Day on BBC Radio 1 before being added to the In New Music We Trust playlist.[33]

2017 to present

In 2017, LAB was nominated for ‘Best Small Label’ at the AIM Awards.[34]

Later that year, on the label’s 10th anniversary, LAB signed a worldwide distribution deal with Warner Music Group’s ADA.[35]

Notable Staff
  • Mark Orr – Founder and Director
  • Matt Sayward – A&R
  • Duncan Howsley – Creative Marketing Director
  • Scott Brothman - Managing Director

Artists

Current[36]

Alumni

Discography
Main article: LAB Records discography
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See also

References
  1. MySpace bio. Myspace.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  2. "LAB creates LAB Partners management, signs Katie Sky | LAB Records". Archive.is. 28 February 2014. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  3. Soundscape Magazine interview. Soundscapemagazine.com (2009-08-29). Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  4. Manchester Confidential Interview with Mark Orr. Manchesterconfidential.co.uk. Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  5. "On Our Stereo: Lights and Sounds - Feels Like Gold by Guest Writer - Mark Orr of LAB Records". www.alterthepress.com. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  6. Reid, Sean. (2009-08-20) AlterThePress News article. Alterthepress.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  7. Huw Stephens on Radio 1. Bbc.co.uk (2007-02-24). Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  8. LABtv Episode 3. Youtube.com (2010-05-22). Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  9. Interview on BBC Radio Manchester, Sunday 23 August 2009
  10. Kerrang! TV Archived 4 May 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Kerrang.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  11. Billboard Heatseekers Chart, 11 May 2010
  12. Archived 29 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  13. Nathen McVittie (@nathenmcvittie) op Twitter. Twitter.com. Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  14. The Summer Set Sign Over Seas – News Article. AbsolutePunk.net. Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  15. Up Magazine November 2010
  16. iTunes chart UK 3 November 2010
  17. Belfast Blast Radio interview with Jack Fairbother, guitarist
  18. Official UK Album Chart, 6 February 2011
  19. Pegasus Bridge. pegasusbridge.co.uk. Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  20. Twitter.com trends, 24 June 2011
  21. 1 New Wakefield Street, Manchester, M1 5NP | Tel 0161 236 0340. Sound Control Manchester. Retrieved on 2012-04-10.
  22. Kelham, Andy. "CARTEL SIGN WITH LAB RECORDS AND STREAM NEW EP AHEAD OF SLAM DUNK APPEARANCE". RockSound.tv. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  23. "Artists". Lab Records. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  24. "LAB signs Anavae". labrecs.com. 4 January 2013. Archived from the original on 27 June 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
  25. "'Storm Chaser' opens at 33 in UK rock singles". labrecs.com. 4 January 2013. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  26. "The Hush Sound announce new single and label". RockSound.tv. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2013.
  27. "Listen back to The Hush Sound on Radio 2 | LAB Records". Archive.is. 27 February 2014. Archived from the original on 27 February 2014. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  28. "Listen back to The Hush Sound on Radio 2". Lab Records. 12 November 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  29. "Young Kato perform on Made In Chelsea, EP in iTunes top 40". labrecs.com. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  30. "Young Kato pen publishing deal with BMG Chrysalis". Lab Records. 23 January 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  31. "Katie Sky signs to Universal/MGP for publishing". Lab Records. 21 February 2013. Retrieved 27 February 2014.
  32. Lester, Paul (5 December 2013). "Bipolar Sunshine (New band of the day No 1,655)". the Guardian. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  33. "Fort Hope's 'Plans' added to Radio 1 playlist | LAB Records". Archive.is. 9 April 2015. Archived from the original on 9 April 2015. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  34. "2017 AIM Awards nominations revealed". musicweek.com. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  35. "LAB Records signs worldwide deal with Warner's ADA in 10th anniversary year - Music Business Worldwide". musicbusinessworldwide.com. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  36. "About". LAB Records. Retrieved 19 June 2013.
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